Augustana College adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws banning discrimination in institutions of higher education.

Augustana College is committed to providing equal access to and participation in employment opportunities and in programs and services, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age or disability. The College complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable laws providing for nondiscrimination against all individuals. The College will provide reasonable accommodations for known disabilities to the extent required by law.

This policy covers nondiscrimination in employment and in access to educational opportunities. Therefore, any member of the campus community, guest or visitor who acts to deny, deprive or limit the educational, employment, residential and/or social access, benefits and/or opportunities of any member of the campus community on the basis of their actual or perceived membership in the protected classes listed above is in violation of the College policy on nondiscrimination. When brought to the attention of the College, any such discrimination will be appropriately remedied by the College according to the procedures below.

2. Policy on Accommodation of Disabilities

Augustana College is committed to full compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibit discrimination against qualified persons with disabilities, as well as other federal and state laws pertaining to individuals with disabilities. Under the ADA and its amendments, a person has a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. The ADA also protects individuals who have a record of a substantially limiting impairment or who are regarded as disabled by the institution whether qualified or not. A substantial impairment is one that significantly limits or restricts a major life activity such as hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, performing manual tasks, walking or caring for oneself.

The Director of Student Academic Support Services has been designated as the ADA/504 Coordinator responsible for coordinating efforts to comply with these disability laws, including investigation of any grievance alleging noncompliance.

a. Students with Disabilities — Augustana College is committed to providing qualified students with disabilities with reasonable accommodations and support needed to ensure equal access to the academic programs and activities of the College.

All accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. A student requesting any accommodation should first contact the Director of Student Academic Support Services who coordinates services for students with disabilities. The director reviews documentation provided by the student and, in consultation with the student, determines which accommodations are appropriate to the student’s particular needs and academic programs.

b. Employees with Disabilities — Pursuant to the ADA, Augustana College will provide reasonable accommodation(s) to all qualified employees with known disabilities, where their disability affects the performance of their essential job functions, except where doing so would be unduly disruptive or would result in undue hardship.

An employee with a disability is responsible for requesting an accommodation in writing to the Human Resources Office and provide appropriate documentation. The Human Resources Office will work with the employee’s supervisor to identify which essential functions of the position are affected by the employee’s disability and what reasonable accommodations could enable the employee to perform those duties.

3. Policy on Discriminatory Harassment

Students, faculty and staff are entitled to a working environment and educational environment free of discriminatory harassment. Augustana College’s harassment policy is not meant to inhibit or prohibit educational content or discussions inside or outside of the classroom that include germane, but controversial or sensitive subject matters protected by academic freedom. The sections below describe the specific forms of legally prohibited harassment that are also prohibited under this policy.

a. Discriminatory and Bias-Related Harassment — Harassment constitutes a form of discrimination. The College will remedy all forms of harassment when reported, whether or not the harassment rises to the level of creating a hostile environment. When harassment rises to the level of creating a hostile environment, the College may also impose sanctions on the harasser. This harassment policy explicitly prohibits any form of harassment, defined as unwelcome conduct on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a protected class, by any member or group of the community.

A hostile environment may be created by oral, written, graphic, or physical conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent/pervasive and objectively offensive that it interferes with, limits or denies the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from educational programs or activities or employment access, benefits or opportunities.[1]

Offensive conduct and/or harassment that does not rise to the level of discrimination or that is of a generic nature not on the basis of a protected status may not result in the imposition of discipline under this policy, but will be addressed through civil confrontation, remedial actions, education and/or effective conflict resolution mechanisms. For assistance with conflict resolution techniques, faculty and staff personnel should contact the Title IX Coordinator or a confidential resource (refer to Section 8a. Policy on Confidentiality – Confidential Reporting, page 8).

Augustana condemns and will not tolerate discriminatory harassment against any student, employee, visitor or guest on the basis of any status protected by college policy or law.

4. Policy on Sexual Misconduct

State law defines various violent and/or non-consensual sexual acts as crimes. Additionally, Augustana College has defined categories of sexual misconduct, as stated below, for which action under this policy may be imposed. Generally speaking, Augustana considers non-consensual sexual intercourse violations to be the most serious, and therefore typically imposes the most severe sanctions, including suspension or expulsion for students and termination for faculty and staff. However, the College reserves the right to impose any level of sanction, ranging from a reprimand up to and including suspension or expulsion/termination, for any act of sexual misconduct or other gender-based offenses, including intimate partner or relationship (datingand/or domestic) violence, non-consensual sexual contact and stalking based on the facts and circumstances of the particular grievance. Acts of sexual misconduct may be committed by any person upon any other person, regardless of the sex, gender, sexual orientation and/or gender identity of those involved. Violations include:

a. Sexual Harassment — Both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the State of South Dakota regard sexual harassment as a form of sex/gender discrimination and, therefore, as an unlawful discriminatory practice. Augustana College has adopted the following definition of sexual harassment, in order to address the special environment of an academic community, which consists not only of employer and employees, but of students as well.[2]

Consensual relationships of a romantic or sexual nature between an Augustana College employee and a current student, or between supervisors and those they supervise, may be construed as, or may in fact be, sexual harassment, and are prohibited. Because a unique position of power or control exists in such relationships, then term “consent” is made ambiguous. Consequently, to claim a consensual relationship is not an acceptable defense against charges of sexual harassment.

Anyone experiencing sexual harassment in any college program is encouraged to report it immediately to the College’s Title IX Coordinator. Sexual harassment creates a hostile environment, and may be disciplined when it is sufficiently severe, persistent/pervasive and objectively offensive that it:

has the effect of unreasonably interfering with, denying or limiting employment opportunities or the ability to participate in or benefit from the College’s educational, social and/or residential program, and

is based on power differentials (quid pro quo), the creation of a hostile environment or retaliation.

b. Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse is defined as any sexual penetration or intercourse (anal, oral or vaginal), however slight, with any object by a person upon another person that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual penetration includes vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, tongue, finger or object, or oral copulation by mouth to genital contact or genital to mouth contact.

c. Non-Consensual Sexual Contact[4]isany intentional sexual touching, however slight, with any object, by a person upon another person that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual touching includes any bodily contact with the breasts, groin, genitals, mouth or other bodily orifice of another individual, or any other bodily contact in a sexual manner.

d. Sexual Exploitationrefers to a situation in which a person takes non-consensual or abusive sexual advantage of another, and situations in which the conduct does not fall within the definitions of Sexual Harassment, Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse or Non-Consensual Sexual Contact. Examples of sexual exploitation include, but are not limited to:

Sexual voyeurism (such as watching a person undressing, using the bathroom or engaged in sexual acts without the consent of the person observed).

Taking pictures or video or audio recording another in a sexual act, or in any other private activity without the consent of all involved in the activity, or exceeding the boundaries of consent (such as allowing another person to hide in a closet and observe sexual activity, or disseminating sexual pictures without the photographed person’s consent).

Prostitution.

Sexual exploitation also includes engaging in sexual activity with another person while knowingly infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other sexually transmitted disease (STD) and without informing the other person of the infection, and further includes administering alcohol or drugs (such as “date rape” drugs) to another person without his or her knowledge or consent.

e. Consent[5]is knowing, voluntary and clear permission by word or action, to engage in mutually agreed upon sexual activity. Since individuals may experience the same interaction in different ways, it is the responsibility of each party to make certain that the other has consented before engaging in the activity. For consent to be valid, there must be a clear expression in words or actions that the other individual consented to that specific sexual conduct.

A person cannot consent if he or she is unable to understand what is happening or is disoriented, helpless, asleep or unconscious for any reason, including due to alcohol or other drugs. An individual who engages in sexual activity when the individual knows, or should know, that the other person is physically or mentally incapacitated has violated this policy.

It is not an excuse that the individual responding party of sexual misconduct was intoxicated and, therefore, did not realize the incapacity of the other.

Incapacitation is defined as a state where someone cannot make rational, reasonable decisions because they lack the capacity to give knowing consent (e.g., to understand the “who, what, when, where, why or how” of their sexual interaction). This policy also covers a person whose incapacity results from mental disability, involuntary physical restraint and/or from the taking of incapacitating drugs.

Consent to some sexual contact (such as kissing or fondling) cannot be presumed to be consent for other sexual activity (such as intercourse). A current or previous dating relationship is not sufficient to constitute consent. The existence of consent is based on the totality of the circumstances, including the context in which the alleged incident occurred and any similar previous patterns that may be evidenced. Silence or the absence of resistance alone is not consent. A person can withdraw consent at any time during sexual activity by expressing in words or actions that he or she no longer wants the act to continue, and, if that happens, the other person must stop immediately.

In the State of South Dakota, a minor (meaning a person under the age of 16 years) cannot consent to sexual activity. This means that sexual contact by an adult with a person younger than 16 years old is a crime, as well as a violation of this policy, even if the minor wanted to engage in the act.

5. Policy Statements on other Civil Rights Offenses (when the act is based upon the status of a protected class)

a. Threatening or causing physical harm, extreme verbal abuse or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person on the basis of their actual or perceived membership in a protected class

b. Discrimination, defined as actions that deprive other members of the community of educational or employment access, benefits or opportunities on the basis of their actual or perceived membership in a protected class

c. Intimidation, defined as implied threats or acts that cause an unreasonable fear of harm in another on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a protected class

d. Hazing, defined as acts likely to cause physical or psychological harm or social ostracism to any person within the campus community, when related to the admission, initiation, pledging, joining, or any other group-affiliation activity(as defined further in the hazing policy) on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a protected class; hazing is also illegal under South Dakota State law and prohibited by college policy

e. Bullying, cyber-bullying,defined as repeated and/or severe aggressive behavior likely to intimidate or intentionally hurt, control or diminish another person, physically or mentally on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a protected class

f. Violence between those in an intimate relationshipto each other on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a protected class (this includes romantic relationships, dating, domestic[6]and/or relationship violence)[7]

g. Stalking[8], defined as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that is unwelcome and would cause a reasonable person to feel fear[9]

h. Any other rules, when a violation is motivated by the actual or perceived membership of the victim on the basis of sex or gender or in a protected class, may be pursued using this policy and process.

Sanctions for the above-listed “Other Civil Rights Behaviors” behaviors range from reprimand up through and including expulsion (students) or termination of employment.

6. Policy on Retaliation

Retaliation is defined as any adverse action taken against a person participating in a protected activity because of their participation in that protected activity. The College prohibits any retaliation against any person making a report or against any person cooperating in the investigation of an incident including witnesses. Retaliation includes intimidation, threats, or harassment.Acts of alleged retaliation should be reported immediately and will be promptly investigated. The College is prepared to take appropriate steps to protect individuals who fear that they may be subjected to retaliation.

7. Remedial Action

Augustana College will implement initial remedial and responsive and/or protective actions upon notice of alleged harassment, retaliation and/or discrimination. Such actions could include but are not limited to: no contact orders, providing counseling and/or medical services, academic support, living arrangement adjustments, providing a campus escort, academic or work schedule and assignment accommodations, safety planning, referral to campus and community support resources.

The College will also take additional prompt remedial and/or disciplinary action with respect to any member of the community, guest or visitor who has been found to engage in harassing or discriminatory behavior or retaliation. Procedures for handling reported incidents are fully described below. Deliberately false and/or malicious accusations of harassment, as opposed to grievances which, even if erroneous, are made in good faith, are just as serious an offense as harassment and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

8. Policy on Confidentiality (and reporting of offenses)

The College is committed to the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct and to the safety and well-being of all members of our community. To achieve this goal, the College expects and relies on each member of the community to report actual or suspected violations of federal or state laws, violations of College policy or procedures, or other suspected wrongdoings. This includes reports from students, third-parties, and/or anonymous sources. The following describes the reporting options at the College.

a. Confidential Reporting — If a reporting party would like the details of an incident to be kept confidential, the reporting party may speak with on-campus counselors, campus clinic providers, campus pastors, off-campus local rape crisis counselors, domestic violence resources and local or state assistance agencies, who will maintain confidentiality except in extreme cases of immediacy of threat or danger or abuse of a minor. Campus counselors are available for students and the Employee Assistance Program is available for employees free of charge and can be seen on an emergency basis twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week. These employees will submit anonymous statistical information for Title IX tracking and Clery Act purposes unless they believe it would be harmful to their client, patient or parishioner.

b. Formal Reporting Options — College employees have a Duty to Report, unless they fall under the section above. Parties making a report may want to consider carefully whether they share personally identifiable details with non-confidential employees, as those details must be shared by the employee with the Title IX Coordinator and/or Deputy Coordinators. Otherwise, employees must share all details of the reports they receive. If a reporting party does not wish for their name to be shared, does not wish for an investigation to take place, or does not want a formal resolution to be pursued, the reporting party may make such a request to the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinators, who will evaluate that request in light of the duty to ensure the safety of the campus and comply with federal law.

In cases indicating pattern, predation, threat and/or violence, the College will be unable to honor a request for confidentiality. In cases where the victim requests confidentiality and the circumstances allow the College to honor that request, the College will offer interim supports and remedies to the victim and the community, but will not otherwise pursue formal action. A reporting party has the right, and can expect, to have reports taken seriously by the College when formally reported, and to have those incidents investigated and properly resolved through these procedures. Formal reporting still affords privacy to the reporter, and only a small group of officials who need to know will be told, including but not limited to: Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Coordinators, Hearing Panel members and Investigator. Information will be shared as necessary with investigators, witnesses and the responding party. The circle of people with this knowledge will be kept as tight as possible to preserve a reporting party’s rights and privacy. Additionally, anonymous reports can be made by victims and/or third parties using the online reporting form posted at www.augie.edu/sexualmisconduct. Note that these anonymous reports may prompt a need for the College to investigate.

9. Policy on Federal Requirement for Timely Warnings

Victims of sexual misconduct should be aware that college administrators must issue timely warnings for incidents reported to them that pose a substantial threat of bodily harm or danger to members of the campus community. The College will make every effort to ensure that a victim’s name and other identifying information is not disclosed, while still providing enough information for community members to make safety decisions in light of the potential danger.

[1]This definition of hostile environment is based on Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 47 / Thursday, March 10, 1994: Department Of Education Office For Civil Rights, Racial Incidents and Harassment Against Students at Educational Institutions Investigative Guidance. The document is available at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/race394.html.

A professor insists that a student have sex with him/her in exchange for a good grade. This is harassment regardless of whether the student accedes to the request.

A student repeatedly sends sexually oriented jokes around on an email list s/he created, even when asked to stop, causing one recipient to avoid the sender on campus and in the residence hall in which they both live.

Explicit sexual pictures are displayed in a professor’s office or on the exterior of a residence hall door

A professor engages students in her class in discussions about their past sexual experiences, yet the conversation is not in any way germane to the subject matter of the class. She probes for explicit details, and demands that students answer her, though they are clearly uncomfortable and hesitant.

An ex-girlfriend widely spreads false stories about her sex life with her former boyfriend to the clear discomfort of the boyfriend, turning him into a social pariah on campus.

[4]The State of South Dakota definition for non-consensual sexual contact, is any touching, not amounting to rape, whether or not through clothing or other covering, of the breasts of a female or the genitalia or anus of any person with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of either party (SD Code §22-22-7.1).Such action is subject to criminal prosecutions for sexual assault, but may differ from the definition used on campus to address policy violations.

1) Amanda and Bill meet at a party. They spend the evening dancing and getting to know each other. Bill convinces Amanda to come up to his room. From 11:00pm until 3:00am, Bill uses every line he can think of to convince Amanda to have sex with him, but she adamantly refuses. He keeps at her, and begins to question her religious convictions, and accuses her of being “a prude.” Finally, it seems to Bill that her resolve is weakening, and he convinces her to give him an “hand job” (hand to genital contact). Amanda would never had done it but for Bill’s incessant advances. He feels that he successfully seduced her, and that she wanted to do it all along, but was playing shy and hard to get. Why else would she have come up to his room alone after the party? If she really didn’t want it, she could have left. Bill is responsible for violating the College Non-Consensual Sexual Contact policy. Bill coerced Amanda into performing unwanted sexual touching upon him. Where sexual activity is coerced, it is forced. Consent is not effective when forced. Sex without effective consent is sexual misconduct.

2) Kevin and Amy are at a party. Kevin is not sure how much Amy has been drinking, but he is pretty sure it’s a lot. After the party, he walks Amy to her room, and Amy comes on to Kevin, initiating sexual activity. Kevin asks her if she is really up to this, and Amy says yes. Clothes go flying, and they end up in Amy’s bed. Suddenly, Amy runs for the bathroom. When she returns, her face is pale, and Kevin thinks she may have thrown up. Amy gets back into bed, and they begin to have sexual intercourse. Kevin is having a good time, though he can’t help but notice that Amy seems pretty groggy and passive, and he thinks Amy may have even passed out briefly during the sex, but he does not let that stop him. When Kevin runs into Amy the next day, he thanks her for the wild night. Amy remembers nothing, and decides to make a complaint to the Dean. This is a violation of the Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse Policy. Kevin should have known that Amy was incapable of making a rational, reasonable decision about sex. Even if Amy seemed to consent, Kevin was well aware that Amy had consumed a large amount of alcohol, and Kevin thought Amy was physically ill, and that she passed out during sex. Kevin should be held accountable for taking advantage of Amy in her condition. This is not the level of respectful conduct expected of students.

[6]The State’s definition of domestic violence is; physical harm, bodily injury, or attempts to cause physical harm or bodily injury, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm or bodily injury between family or household members (SD Code §25-10-1). Such action is subject tocriminal prosecutions for domestic violence in South Dakota, but may differ from the definition used on campus to address policy violations.

[7]Examples of violence between those in an intimate relationship: Employee A has been in an intimate relationship with Employee B for over a year; Employee A punches Employee B in the face during an argument (Dating Violence).

[8]The state definition of stalking is; (1) Willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly following or harassing another person; (2) Making a credible threat to another person with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear of death or great bodily injury; or (3) Willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly harassing another person by means of any verbal, electronic, digital media, mechanical, telegraphic, or written communication (SD Codified Law 22-19A-1). Such action is subject tocriminal prosecutions for stalking in South Dakota, but may differ from the definition used on campus to address policy violations.

[9]Examples of Stalking: Employee A recently ended an intimate relationship with Employee B. For the past three weeks, B has been sending A 100 text messages per day and waits by A’s car at the end of each day to beg and plead with her to take him back. When she refuses, he loses control, makes threatening gestures, and tells her she will regret this. Employee A indicates she is fearful of what B might do to her (Stalking).